You’ve probably seen the pink-haired girl with the star-shaped eyes everywhere. She’s on posters, playlists, and definitely all over your social media feed. If you’re asking yourself is Oshi no Ko good, you aren't just asking about a cartoon. You’re asking if it’s worth the emotional damage everyone keeps tweeting about.
It’s a weird one. Honestly.
On the surface, it looks like a sugary-sweet story about Japanese pop idols. Then, within the first episode, it pivots into a supernatural reincarnation mystery, and then—bam—it’s a brutal, cynical deconstruction of the entertainment industry. It’s written by Aka Akasaka, the mastermind behind Kaguya-sama: Love is War, and illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari. But don’t let the Kaguya-sama pedigree fool you into thinking this is a lighthearted rom-com. It isn't.
The First Episode Trap
Most people decide if a show is worth their time in twenty minutes. Oshi no Ko demands ninety. The series premiered with a feature-length opening episode that serves as a prologue, and it is arguably one of the most effective "hooks" in the history of the medium.
The story follows a doctor named Gorou who is a massive fan of a 16-year-old idol named Ai Hoshino. Through a bizarre set of circumstances involving his own murder and a cosmic "reset" button, he is reborn as one of Ai’s twin children. It sounds like a generic isekai power fantasy, but it’s the exact opposite. It’s a tragedy.
The show uses this high-concept premise to force the viewer into the "backstage" of fame. We see Ai not as a goddess, but as a scared teenager who has to lie to her fans to survive. She’s a professional liar. That’s her job. When the show asks is Oshi no Ko good, it’s really asking if you can handle seeing the ugly guts of the celebrity machine.
Why It Hits Differently in 2026
We live in an era where everyone is a brand. Whether you're a YouTuber, a TikToker, or just someone trying to keep a clean Instagram profile, we all understand the "performance" of daily life. Oshi no Ko taps into that collective anxiety perfectly.
It covers topics that most anime wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole. It looks at the soul-crushing reality of reality TV editing—something we saw play out in real life with the tragic case of Hana Kimura, which many fans believe influenced the "Akane Kurokawa" arc of the series. The show doesn't shy away from how social media dogpiling can literally ruin a person’s will to live. It’s heavy stuff.
But it’s also funny? Sorta.
The contrast is what makes it work. One minute you’re watching a satirical take on how "pretty" actors get cast over "talented" ones because of their Twitter follower count, and the next, you’re watching a high-stakes revenge plot. Aqua, the protagonist, is basically a noir detective trapped in the body of a teen heartthrob. He’s obsessed with finding out who killed his mother, and he will manipulate anyone to get there. He's not a "good" guy. He’s a functional one.
The Production Quality is Ridiculous
Studio Doga Kobo is usually known for "cute girls doing cute things" (think New Game! or Gabriel DropOut). With Oshi no Ko, they went nuclear. The animation in the musical performances is fluid, but it’s the eyes that get you. The "Star Eyes" in this series aren't just a design choice; they represent a character’s "lie" or their overwhelming charisma.
When Ai Hoshino performs, the screen practically glows.
The music? "Idol" by YOASOBI became a global phenomenon for a reason. It’s a frantic, shifting track that mirrors the dual nature of the show—half J-pop sparkles, half dark psychological thriller. If you like your entertainment to have high production value, then yes, is Oshi no Ko good becomes an easy "yes" just on technical merit alone.
Addressing the Weirdness
Let's be real. The "reincarnation" aspect is a bit "cringe" for some viewers. The idea of an adult doctor being reborn as a baby who still has his adult memories—and who is obsessed with his "mother" (who used to be his patient)—is undeniably uncomfortable.
The show knows this.
It leans into the awkwardness. It uses it to highlight how disconnected these characters are from a "normal" life. They are child actors. They are products. Their entire existence is "weird" because the industry they live in is predatory and strange. If you can get past the initial "what am I watching?" factor of the first episode, the story settles into a very grounded, albeit dark, procedural drama about the entertainment business.
It's a Deep Dive into Technical Craft
One of the best things about the series is how much it teaches you.
- You learn how manga is adapted into live-action and why those adaptations usually suck.
- You see how lighting directors can make or break a scene.
- The show explains the "Pay-to-Win" nature of the idol world where fans buy hundreds of CDs just for a 10-second handshake.
- It breaks down the hierarchy of a film set, from the director to the "stunt" actors.
It’s basically an educational documentary disguised as a melodrama. For anyone interested in how media is actually made, this is gold. It’s not just about the "glamour"; it’s about the contracts, the sweat, and the sheer amount of luck required to stay relevant for more than a week.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People often call this a "mystery anime." While there is a murder mystery at the center, that’s actually the slowest-moving part of the plot. If you go in expecting Sherlock Holmes, you’ll be disappointed.
The real meat is the character growth. Seeing Kana Arima—a former child prodigy who is now a "washed up" teenager—try to reclaim her dignity is some of the most compelling writing in modern fiction. She is the heart of the show. Her struggle with "relevance" is something anyone who has ever felt "past their prime" can relate to, even if they aren't a 17-year-old actress.
The Verdict
So, is Oshi no Ko good?
It’s more than good. It’s essential viewing for anyone who spends more than an hour a day on the internet. It’s a mirror held up to our own consumption habits. Why do we demand so much from celebrities? Why do we enjoy watching people fail?
It isn't perfect. The pacing can occasionally drag when it gets too deep into the technicalities of stage plays. Some of the "revenge" logic Aqua uses feels a bit like a "big brain" anime trope that doesn't always land. But these are small gripes compared to the emotional payoff.
How to Watch and What to Do Next
If you're ready to jump in, don't just put it on in the background while you fold laundry. You’ll miss the subtle visual cues.
- Clear 90 minutes for the first episode. Treat it like a movie. Don't look at spoilers. Don't Google Ai Hoshino yet.
- Watch it on HIDIVE or Netflix (depending on your region). The subtitles matter because there is a lot of industry-specific jargon that needs proper translation.
- Pay attention to the background art. Doga Kobo uses color shifts to indicate when a character is "performing" versus when they are being their true selves.
- Check out the manga if you're impatient. The anime is a very faithful adaptation, but the manga (available on Manga Plus) is finished and allows you to see how the "revenge" plot concludes.
The series is a rare breed that manages to be both a commercial juggernaut and a scathing critique of the very people who buy its merchandise. It’s uncomfortable, beautiful, and deeply cynical. It’s the story the modern world deserves.